to think my toddler is playing me?

[flingingmelon]

He's been a bit clingy since we cut his Creche days down to two a week. Five days a week it's the two of us.

Yesterday Creche called to say he had a terrible ear ache. We agreed to give calpol and I picked him up early.

At home he was on deaths door until we snuggled up in bed to watch a movie. Twenty minutes he's playing happily.

Since then there have been sudden 'my ear hurts!' And requests for calpol (which he has always loved the taste of) and cuddles. Both of which have been given.

He is eating, sleeping, playing, chatting, no temperature. Is he sick or does he just want mummy?

[flingingmelon]

Oh and he's had no calpol today. He's currently happily eating scrambled egg and toast on a tray in bed.

[ThisCakeFilledIsle]

Earache is like that though isn't it? It can subside then you get a sharp pain.

Keep an eye on him.

[flingingmelon]

This is the thing, he's never had ear ache before so I'm not entirely sure what to expect.

[Sleepybunny]

Even if he isn't genuinely ill, it seems like he's calling out for your attention. What would happen if you ignored the illness part and just gave loads of cuddles, time and attention?

[DancingHippo]

He's little. Of course he wants the comfort and security of his Mum, especially if he's feeling pain. I don't understand how this is 'playing' you. It is an inbuilt biological response.

Enjoy it now. In 10 years he won't want to know you.

[flingingmelon]

You make very good points.

He gets cuddles and attention for all but 9:30 - 5 two days a week. He's not short of cuddles and attention!

Maybe in ten years I can get my smear done then

[greenclip]

My DS is 2.5. A fortnight ago he had a fever and was ill for a couple of days. I departed from our usual bed time routine and cuddled him to sleep those days.

Since then when he goes to bed and I am about to leave his room he says "I'm poorly". He also asks for medicine. There is nothing wrong with him he is just a clever little boy who quickly learned that being poorly means I stay with him until he falls asleep.

I can't say whether your DS is poorly or not. As others say, pain can come and go with ear aches, so only you can judge. But I wouldn't rule out that he has connected saying he is poorly with getting extra cuddles/TV.